Explosive compound and process of producing the same.



'i citizen of theUnited States, anda'jresident v I Explosive Compounds and Processes of Pros :;0 ofjthe chlorate of potash used in producing;

UNITED S A I E 'QFFIQ;

EQBGELEZIN KY; on NEW YoR N.- Y.

- cnxi nosx v comowmn Am)" rnocn'ss OF-PRO'DUCfNG m beams-ma mas; 1- Be it known that I, 'Gnonon Lnzn sfix, a

of new York cit ,w in the countyfof-"New 5' York and State 0 New York, have invented 1 certain :new and useful Irnprgweme'nts ducing the Same, of which the following-is; a specification. o -'lhis invention relates to explosive come" pounds and it is my purpose to provid'eian" explosive oil-great, safety, stability, -e fliciency and effectiveness, and which will not-deter -'orate: or change With'a e;

is not susceptible to, or afi'ected by, climatic conditions wh ich will. not freeze, or melt,

and when exploded or burned, will give forth rno noxious fumes 'or gases; being, therefore particularly advantageous for use in underground work. i Furthermore, "I produce an explosive the component .parts of which are; susceptible. toj'thesction of water so "that the mixing,

'25. iformin for granulation of this explosive 1s by the ue 'o'fwater' alone,

and-thus there is entire safety-in'the process ofmanufacture-and'no danger of explosion; '..'By the use "ofwater, a considerable portion this explosive as well as a portion'of the." nitrate product is put into solution so that'. thetwo ingiedients'are most intimately combined', The result is a nitrate product im pregnated with chlorate of potash.

Furthermore, I produce an explosive which is a homogeneous mass composed of a com-i bination of an oxidizing agent and; a unitrated product.v mixed with Water, or other- 4ofi-uid, s0 thatthe oxidizing agent, which-issoluble in-water is wholly, or partly, idis f' solved and absor ed by, and uniformlycom-* bined with, the nitrated product.

Furthermore, myinventio'n' consists of a" novel and improved method of'xnaking explosives. f In carrying out my invention, I take a. -mixture of ordinary commercial resin and a .-'graiIi -orcerea'l of the general character of ordinary Wheat and finely pulveri ze each of these materials, and make a mixture of the same of various proportions from about two parts inf weight 0? the resin to from oneto three parts in weight the cereal or grain,- fi Upon, or into, this mixture, I pour and. mix

Specificationpf Letters Patent, Application-med-No embe -it,i907; swarm. 400,219,

"acid w 5 ay 'b u d iiipm lows-f 5'3 per. centlbyj weigh v cent; by weight of ordinary eat; and20 "per centslby weight of nitric Zacid of"38- togetherthis nitrated product and chloratev 'in weight of the nitrated product to formed or *mcansg i humanism, to bring this explosive n w-re i'sji' re sufficient -9gel-111 13 com-1 1 m n li c a 1- 39. degre's 'Baum to degresBBItim') to bring 0i vare:-'co ld theyshould heated; a iqnizc mmen s' hemes: Q d i d.- d ithen; finelypulvenzedi: TFO! product as a nitrated"product,'but I believe? vthere is, strictly speaking, n'ota. complete nitration, buttne-action consists not only' ofj the substitution of a N0 radical in the-Q "resin, but also of a'hydrolysis o f the starch in the pulverizedcereal, forming. a'lwater 'm l soluble; gurmningfinassr;- A specific illustrate 1"" tion of the proportions of resin;.. cereal and duc ing .the s .01- resin; 27 per lnitratedaproduct for mygexp Bauxn- To.one part by weight oi this nitrated productl add three parts byfwe1ght -1;.. of chlorate of potash to produce my ;explosi'i 'e compound. I have found upon analysis that my vnitrated product contains approx1-.-.-; mately fron'r 20 to 50 percnttof water-solu "ble matter, according to the proportion of ingredients used in making it.' l [tvmay core as tainj'eVen-l'ess without departingifrom the spirit of my inventiomq'l his 'nitrated prodto produce my exploslve compound, I' mix "fici'ent quantity of water to mix the same into a homogeneous mass. This mass is then olded into sticks, cakes, lump s ?or grains as esired-an en dried nid' 1s?- ..ready for :or'desire to geta initi'atedproduct or an explosiye which isunafiected by water, but get and desire" to get a 'nitrated'product and an explosive which, without an, independent 165' coatings! prot'ectivecovering, is' susceptible .to water. The purpose of .this'is to obtain and be ableto obtain the results and combi" nations herein described,- and in order,*-i"by J 4. 1-100 do not,'fm;prodiicing my explosive, getj' 1 'lack of a, :bet'ter namei l have'fefeired to this f into a-homogeneous mass, which, before drying, can be formed or molded ,into sticks,

' cakes, lumps or grains.

Sincel'do not wash my nitrated product with water or other liquid or in any manner removeanyofthe constituent parts of the pr oduct' produced-by subjecting grain and resin to nitric acidas indicated, but mix that l mass .i njwhich the nitrated product is thoroughly impregnated with the chlorate of 5 powder in solidified form as coverin potash. l find. that a considerable portion of the nitrated product produced as above/describe'df'is in such conditionflthat it would be dissolved-or carried away if that product werelwashed. j l believe that this condition of the nitrated product is what enables me to bring my powder into solidified or stick form by the use of water, and I furtherbelieve that I am the first to make a chlorate fromthe granular form.

As this explosive. as described, is susceptible to water and when wet its explosive qualities are impaired, I make this explosive adapted for use in water or in wet places by dipping the dried sticks, cakes, lum s or grains, into which it has been mOl ed or formed, into melted parafiin, or similar substance, forming a water proof coating over the entire surface of each form, or inclosing such sticks, cakes, lumps or grains'in a water proof covering. This coating in no manner interferes with the eificiency of the powder. This coating or of the dried stick, cake, lump or grain 0 the explosive in this manner, also adds to the stability, safety and keeping qualities ofthe explosive, since this coating orcoveringalso prevents any actionof the air or atmosphereon the explosive which might bring aboutfa decomposition,

The object'of varying the proportions of. the quantity of resin and the quantity of grain orcereal .used in the production of the nitrated product, and in varying the pro or-[ tions of the quantity of the nitrated pro uct and thequantity-bf-chlorate. of potash used in the production of the explosives is to pro-- cure explosives of varying degrees of force and rapidity. of explosive action,.f and adapted for various uses and purposes. The explosiveof greatest force and most rapid in explosive action is produced by usingthe smallest proportionate quantity of the grain or cereal to the resin in producing the nitrated product and by using the greatest proportionate quantity of the chlorate of potash to the 'nitrated product in producing ducing the explosive.

from the highest distinguished the or starch meal with an oxidizing and least rapidity of explosive action is produced by using the greatest proportionate quantity of the grain or cereal to resin in producing the nitrated product and by uslng the least proportionate quantity of chlorate of potash to the nitrated compound in pro- By varying in this way the proportions of the materials used in producing the nitrated product and the proportions of the nitrated product and the chlorate of potash, I produce ex losive compounds ranging in force and exp osive action grades of explosives in common use to ordinary black powder used for blasting and other purposes; and I also produce an explosive adapted to and of excellent quality for use in firearms and ordnance.

All the "powders manufactured, as herein described, burn slowly in the open air an with considerable .deflagration. and -the stronger the powder-manufactured by this process the slower it burns. Y T he base itself is a non-explosive and the powders manufactured therewith as herein described may be employed with much moresafety than inary nitro-glycerin powders now in use or any powder with which I am acquainted having similar explosive force.

My explosive-compound will not explode by ordinary concussion but requires. the initial explosion of a detonating cap to render it active. This feature is of importance in that it obviates thepossibility'of accidents so commonly occurring by the explosion in mines by striking the nitro-glycerm powders remaining in missed holes.

I am aware that hitherto explosive compounds have been made in the manner described and specified in the U. S. Patents to Everard Steele, numbered respectively 762,447 and 799,687 and in German patent as 188,829 to J. H. Van Schleinitz, which described an explosive similar to said the character and methods of making such explosive compounds consisting of a nitra'ted mixture of resin with a vegetable mealor 2.

agent. of such explosive compounds the object sought and which was obtained is to produce an explosive compound in a granular form in which thenitrated product, being dis olved by .means of a volatile organic-fluid,

forms a shell or protective coating around the oxidizing agent, which is unaffected by the dissolving Such powders are claimed to be stable and unaffected by. moisture on account of the ni rated product which forms such shell or coating, being unaffected by moisture and forming a protective coating or shell around the oxidizing agent which is readily disthe explosive. The explosive of least force i solved in, and afiected by, the action of Steele. patents and I ampracticallyacquainted with In all" fiuid and remains in its origl- 'nal state within this shell or coating.

rxPLosw 'PYRUI item-ca COMPOSWONS.

moisture. "It is therefore theaim-and par pose, in fproducing such explosive come pounds, to use such proportionsof resin and vegetable: or starchmeals or flour and such character. ofmeal or flour and such methods inproducing-.the nitrated product as will produce a product having the greatest resistance to, and unaffected by,-the action of an explosive compound of anentirely dilfercut character. and combination.

My aim and method inv producing my explosive compound is to procure anitrated product which is to the greatest possible ex.-

' tent an absorbent for water or a solution broughtabout by water. 1 I therefore use such pmpoitions of pulverized resin and pulveriz dgrains (preferably-ordinary wheat) and such character of grains, and such methods ofmitrationas will give me a nitrated product,- which is to the greatest possible extent an absorbent of .water or solutionsbrought abbut by water, so that in the production of my'explosivecompound, the combination ofthe nitratedproductland-the oxidizing agent is'effected in the presence. of water. which partly or Wholly dissolves the oxidizing agent which is absorbed by the nitrated product, forming a homogeneous mass of a uniform character through its composition. The

combination of a nitrated product and an oxidizing agent in the mannerdescribed isentirely new and novel and has .many-advan-' tages over the production of a. chlorate of potashexplosive'in any-other manner. The explosive compound being a homogeneous mass, uniform throughout its entire composition, gives betterresults than any other explosive compounds made. with chlorate. of

potash. The combination of the nitrated product and the oxidizingagent being effected by means of water or other-fluid of similar character, makes the. actofFthis' combination one of perfect safety and of the least possible cost and greatest possible convenience;

.In the production of my nitrated product I do not wash the same or .treat the same with Water in any manner, and the'firstand only use of, or introduction of, water in manufacturing my explosive compound is the use of Water for combining the nitrated product and the chlorate of potash.

IVhile I have herein set forth the preferred materials and the proportions thereof, I prefer to employ in the manufacture of my explosive, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to such exact materials and proportions thereof. For instance, in-

proportions described.

ver-ized cereal.

' added sufiicient nitric acid to stead of employing. grains of'wheat, I may use other grain or cereal or other equivalent substance, and mayalso use oxidizing agents other than chlorate of potash;

- I claim. as my invention;

1. The herein described. explosive consistin of ahomogeneous mixture of nitrated pu verized cereal and resin. containing water solublematter impregnated with a suitable oxidizingagent in substantially the proper. tions described.-

2. The herein described. explosive consist.- ing of a homogeneousv mixtureof. nitrated pulverized cereal and resincontain-ing watersoluble matter impregnated-with chlorate of. potash in substantiallythe-rproportions dc-. scribed.

3. The herein described explosive consist ingof a homogeneous mixture offthe'herei'n described nitrated-wheat flour andresin-con: taining water-soluble matter impregnated 'With potassium chlorate in substantially the 4. The herein described explosive, con-. sisting of the entire product; of a mixtureofpulverized cereal, resin and nitric acid in: substantially theproportions indicated, impregnated with a suitable oxidizing agent.

.5. The herein described'entirefproduct' of a. mixture of pulverizedcereal, resin and nitric acid in substantiallythe-proportions in-. dicated. t

- 6. A nitrated product foruse in forming an explosive compound; xconsisting ofthe products of a mixture of. pulverized resin-- a'nd pulverized cereal and suifici'ent nitric acid' to put the mixture of resin and cereal into a porouscake.

7. A nitrated product for use in forming an explosive compound, consisting of the productsof a mixture of pulverized resin and pulverized whole. Wheat flour and sutrlcient-nitricacid to put-themixture of resin and whole wheat flour into a porous cake.

8. A nitrated. product foruseiu forming .an explosive compound consisting of anunwashed mixture of --nitrated= resin. and: pul? homogeneous mixture" of chlorate of potash and a nitrated product of pulverized resin 1 9 An exp csivecempoundconsi ti g eta. i.

and pulverized cereal to which has been mixture of cereal and resin into a porous cake.

10. The herein described explosive consisting of a homogeneous mixture of the'entire put the entire,

product of nitrated pulverized cereal and nitrated resin impregnated with chlorate of potash in substantially the proportions described.

11. The herein described explosive consisting of a homogeneous mixture of the entire product of nitrated whole wheat flour and nitrated resin impregna'tedwith chlorate of potash in substantially the proportions described. 1 1 12. The herein described explosive, consisting of a homogeneous solidified mass containing the unwashed product of the nitration of pulverized cereal and resin impregnated with chlorate-of potash in substantially the proportions described. 13. The herein described explosive consisting of a homogeneous solidified mass containinga mixture of nitrated resin and pulverized cereal including water soluble-matter a suitable oxidizing agent and a nitrated mixture of pulverized cereal and resin con-' taining water-soluble matter to combine theparticles in 'a solid homogeneous mass.

18. An explosive compound consisting of chlorate of potash and a nitrated mixture of pulverized cereal and resin containing watersoluble matter to combine 'the particles in a solid homogeneous mass.

19. The herein described process of producing a ,nitrated product for explosives, which consists in adding to a mixture of pulverized cereal and resin nitric acid in a quantity just sufficient to form a mass in the form of a porous cake which cake upon bein pulverized forms the finishednitrated pro uct. 20. The herein described .process of producing anitrated product for explosives which consists in adding to a 'mixture of pulverized cereal and resin nitric acid in a quantity just suflicientto formamass the ducing an explosive compoun form ofa porous cake, drying the cak'e and then pulverizin it.

' 21. The herein described 'process of pro-' ducing a nitrated product for explosives which consists in mixing finely ground resin and whole wheat flour insu stantiallythe proportions indicated, and addin thereto nitric acid in a quantity ust sufiicient to form a mass in the form ofaporouscake which cake upon being pulverized forms the finished nitratedproduct.

22. The herein described process of'producing an explosive com ound which consists in nitrating a: pulverize cereal and resin by subjecting them to the actionof nitric acid alone an mixing said roduct with a suitable oxidizing agent an water until a homogeneous mass is produced.

23. The herein described process of producing an explosive compound which consists in subjecting pulverized cereal and resin to the action of just 'sufiicient nitric acid to form a porous cake, pulverizing said cake, and mixing it with a suitable oxidizing agent and Water until a homo eneous mass is produced.

process of pro- 24. The herein described which consists in subjectin pulverized cereal and resin to the action 0 just sufiicient nitric acid to form aporous cake,-pulverizing said cake, mixing it with a suitable oxidiz ng agent and water until a homogeneous mass is produced comg pressing said mass into shape, and drying it.

25. The herein'described'process of producing an explosivetcomp'ound. which con-l s6 sists in subjectin a. mixture-of finely ground cereal and resinin substantially the proportionsindicated, to theactionof just sufficient nitric acid to forni a porous cake. pulverizing said-cake, and" mixing it with chlorate of potash'and water until a.homog'eneous mass is produced.

In testimonyfwhereof I 'have hereunto signed my-- name to this specification in the presence of two subscribin r v LEZINSKY; Witnesses: 5

WALTER A. Phutmo,

T. HARDENBEBGH, J r.

witnesses. 

